Draganfly to Participate in Canadian Working Group for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems in Support of Government of Canada’s Newly Announced Defence Industrial Strategy
Rhea-AI Summary
Draganfly (NASDAQ: DPRO) will join the Canadian Army Minerva Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Working Group on February 23, 2026 to support implementation of Canada’s newly announced Defence Industrial Strategy.
The company says its 25+ years of drone design and field-tested solutions align with the Strategy’s focus on sovereign drone capabilities, domestic production, and secure supply chains.
Positive
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Negative
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News Market Reaction – DPRO
On the day this news was published, DPRO declined 5.28%, reflecting a notable negative market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +10.5% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 15 alerts that day, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $12M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $207M at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
DPRO is up 9.44% while key peers are mixed: HOVR up 3.43%, but CODA, OPXS, MOB, and VWAV show declines between -3.3% and -6.31%. Momentum scanner flags only MOB, so DPRO’s move appears stock-specific.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 02 | Defense contract award | Positive | +7.1% | Award to supply Flex FPV drones and training to U.S. Air Force units. |
| Jan 20 | Leadership change | Neutral | -1.8% | CEO Cameron Chell appointed Executive Chairman while remaining CEO. |
| Jan 13 | Product deployment | Positive | +1.0% | Deployment of APEX and Commander 3XL drones with SAR Sweden operations. |
| Jan 12 | Investor conference | Positive | +2.4% | Presentation and investor meetings at 28th Annual Needham Growth Conference. |
| Dec 08 | Defense collaboration | Positive | -2.0% | Collaboration framework with Babcock and CiTech for Asia-Pacific defense. |
Recent positive operational and partnership news has often coincided with upward price reactions, though not uniformly so.
Over the last few months, DPRO has highlighted multiple defense and security initiatives. On Dec 8, 2025, it announced a collaboration framework with Babcock and CiTech for Asia-Pacific defense and security. In January 2026, it presented at the Needham Growth Conference, deployed drones with Search and Rescue Sweden, and won a U.S. Air Force FPV training award. Today’s participation in a Canadian defence working group extends this pattern of aligning with military and security customers.
Market Pulse Summary
The stock moved -5.3% in the session following this news. A negative reaction despite strategically favorable news would fit a pattern where individual announcements sometimes failed to sustain momentum. While Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy highlights drones as a sovereign capability and DPRO joined a related working group, past defense collaborations and conference appearances have not always translated into lasting gains, suggesting that execution and contract visibility could be critical for market confidence.
Key Terms
uncrewed aircraft systems technical
autonomous aerial systems technical
supply chains technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Ottawa, ON, Feb. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) (CSE: DPRO) (FSE: 3U8A) (“Draganfly” or the “Company”), an award-winning, industry-leading drone solutions and systems developer, welcomes the Government of Canada’s newly announced Defence Industrial Strategy and, as an initial step in supporting its implementation, will participate in the Canadian Army’s first Collaborative Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Working Group beginning Monday, February 23, in Ottawa, Canada.
Announced on Tuesday, February 17, Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled a visionary and transformational Defence Industrial Strategy to rebuild, renew, and rearm the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The Strategy represents a fundamental shift toward strengthening Canada’s sovereign defence capabilities across supply chains and domestic production, with particular emphasis on advancing uncrewed and autonomous aerial systems.
On Monday, February 23, Draganfly will participate in the Canadian Army Minerva Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Working Group, an event directly aligned with the key priorities of the Defence Industrial Strategy. The Strategy identifies drones as a critical sovereign capability for Canada, underscoring the importance of investing in domestic expertise and strategic partnerships with Canadian defence firms such as Draganfly. This approach supports secure supply chains, sustained innovation, and reliable domestic production capacity to meet the needs of the Canadian Armed Forces.
As the world’s oldest commercial drone manufacturer, with over 25 years of design, engineering, and development experience, and as one of the few Canadian manufacturers with proven, field-tested drone solutions, Draganfly is well positioned to support the Government of Canada’s vision to strengthen domestic defence capabilities. The Strategy’s emphasis on developing sovereign Canadian defence competencies, building a resilient and innovative industrial base, and making “Build in Canada” the guiding North Star of procurement reflects a meaningful and transformational shift.
Draganfly looks forward to playing a leadership role within Canada’s defence industry and working with the Government of Canada to strengthen the country’s domestic capacity to design, develop, and produce advanced drone solutions and systems.
About Draganfly
Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO; CSE: DPRO; FSE: 3U8A) is a leader in cutting-edge drone solutions and software that are transforming industries and serving stakeholders globally. Recognized for innovation and excellence for over 25 years, Draganfly delivers award-winning technology to the public safety, agriculture, industrial inspection, security, mapping, and surveying markets. The Company is driven by passion, ingenuity, and a mission to provide efficient solutions and first-class services to customers worldwide, saving time, money, and lives.
For more information, visit www.draganfly.com.
For investor details, visit:
NASDAQ (DPRO)
CSE (DPRO)
FSE (3U8A)
Media Contact
Erika Racicot
Email: media@draganfly.com
Company Contact
Cameron Chell
Chief Executive Officer
(306) 955-9907
info@draganfly.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains certain “forward looking statements” and certain “forward-looking information” as defined under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “plans” or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements and information are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions that, while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to Draganfly’s participation in the Uncrewed Aircraft Working Group, as well as the statement that Draganfly looks forward to working with the Government of Canada to pursue potential partnerships that strengthen Canada’s domestic capacity to design, develop, and produce advanced drone solutions and systems. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out here in, including but not limited to: the potential impact of epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, on the Company’s business, operations and financial condition; the successful integration of technology; the inherent risks involved in the general securities markets; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; the inherent uncertainty of cost estimates; the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, currency fluctuations; regulatory restrictions; and liability, competition, loss of key employees and other related risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors“ in the Company’s most recent filings filed with securities regulators in Canada on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on EDGAR through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents managements’ best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.
FAQ
What is Draganfly (DPRO) doing at the Canadian Army Minerva Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Working Group on February 23, 2026?
How does Draganfly (DPRO) relate to Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy announced February 17, 2026?
Will Draganfly’s participation on February 23, 2026 affect its production of drones in Canada (DPRO)?
What objectives will the Canadian Army Minerva Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Working Group pursue that involve Draganfly (DPRO)?
Does Draganfly (DPRO) claim any specific contracts or funding from the Defence Industrial Strategy dated February 17, 2026?
How might Draganfly’s (DPRO) 25+ years of experience influence Canada’s defence drone capabilities?
